WO2007043561A9

WO2007043561A9 - Microscope stage and microscope observing unit

Info

Publication number: WO2007043561A9
Application number: PCT/JP2006/320274
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideharu Tsuchiya
Original assignee: Tokai Hit Co Ltd; Hideharu Tsuchiya
Priority date: 2005-10-13
Filing date: 2006-10-11
Publication date: 2007-06-07
Also published as: WO2007043561A1; EP1936425A1; HK1124127A1; CA2624167A1; CN101300518B; AU2006300339A1; KR20080046732A; AU2006300339B2; US7830598B2; JP2007108445A; US20090141345A1; JP4354446B2; CN101300518A; KR101352458B1; EP1936425A4

Abstract

A microscope stage capable of always heating the entire culture vessel even when the culture vessel is moved in two-dimensional directions, and allowing an object lens and a condenser even in a high-power microscope to approach an object of observation such as a cell until they come into focus. A heating unit (58) faces a well plate (37) on a drive base (49) even when the drive base (49) is driven to any position in two-dimensional directions. Therefore, all the cells A in the small compartments (45) of the well plate (37) are always heated. Since the microscope stage (25) is constituted such that a lower-side base (71) houses an upper-side base (73) and a fixed base (47) in recessed portions, its thickness is considerably small. Accordingly, an object lens (5) and a condenser (3) can approach close to the cells A. Therefore, it is possible for high-power object lens (5) and condenser (3) to focus on the cells A.

Description

Specification

Microscope stage and microscope observation unit

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microscope observation unit including a microscope stage capable of heating the entire culture container in which observation objects such as cells and microorganisms are accommodated, the microscope stage, and a culture apparatus installed on the microscope stage. It is about.

Background art

Conventionally, dishes having a shallow cylindrical shape with a diameter of 35 mm are often used as culture vessels for cells and microorganisms. In addition, recently, a culture vessel called a well plate having a large number of cells for containing a culture solution and cells and microorganisms is also used. This well plate is 85mm long by 115mm wide, for example, and is considerably larger than the dish. In addition, the depth of the culture vessel varies. As described above, culture vessels of various sizes are used depending on the application.

Normally, when culturing cells, etc., it is necessary to maintain the temperature of the cells contained in the dish-well plate at 37 ° C, for example, and maintain the environment such as humidity and CO concentration.

2

It is necessary to.

In order to observe cells and the like, an optical microscope is often used. In order to observe cells and the like in a growing state, it is necessary to heat the cells and the like together with a culture vessel placed on the stage of the microscope. Therefore, a stage heater is commercially available that fits into an opening formed in the center of the microscope stage. This transparent heater includes a glass plate on which a transparent conductive film is formed. When the transparent conductive film is energized, heat is generated and the culture vessel placed on the stage is heated.

[0004] However, since the stage heater described above is provided only at the center of the stage, particularly when a large well plate is used, a part of the culture vessel loses its positional force against the stage heater. There is a problem that cells cannot be heated.

[0005] In addition, in a well plate, cells and the like are accommodated in a number of cells and cultured, and each of these cells and the like is observed with a microscope. Therefore, each of the many cells is connected to the optical axis of the objective lens. It is necessary to move the well plate so that it is located on the top. It is cumbersome to move the well plate by hand, and it is difficult to perform fine movement by hand. It is indispensable to use a type of microscope stage in which the base on which the container is placed can be driven in two dimensions.

[0006] However, this driving type microscope stage has a fixed base fixed to the microscope, a lower base that drives in the left-right direction (X direction), and an upper side that drives in the front-rear direction (Y direction). Since it has a three-stage structure consisting of a base, the thickness is relatively large. For this reason, when a heater is simply incorporated into a drive type microscope stage, it has a considerable thickness. Therefore, the distance between the cells in the culture vessel on the stage and the objective lens is increased, and there is a problem that the high magnification microscope cannot access the cells until the objective lens is in focus. In other words, the range in which the objective lens can be moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) is not determined by the drive type! / Is determined based on a single-stage stage, so a heater is simply incorporated into a drive-type microscope stage. Even if the objective lens is positioned at the upper limit in the vertical direction (Z direction), it is impossible to focus on the observation target such as a cell.

[0007] In addition, when the thickness dimension of the drive type stage is increased as described above, the capacitor is also located away from the force to be observed, so that it is not possible to focus on the cells and the like, and sufficient collection is performed. There is a problem that light cannot be produced.

In other words, the conventional drive-type drive stage has a large thickness, so the distance between the objective lens and the cell is increased, and the distance between the condenser and the cell is also increased. There is a problem that it is impossible to get close to the cell etc. until the objective lens and condenser!

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can always heat the entire culture vessel of various shapes and sizes including the well plate, and further increase the magnification. The microscope stage can move close to the object to be observed such as cells until the objective lens and condenser are in focus, and the microscope stage can be focused, and the closed stage is closed in cooperation with the microscope stage drive base. Forming and ringing the temperature, humidity, etc. in this enclosed space An object is to provide a microscope observation unit capable of controlling the boundary.

Means for solving the problem

In order to solve the above problem, the invention described in claim 1 is capable of moving in a two-dimensional direction within a plane that is perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens with respect to the fixed base. A driving base on which a culture vessel in which an observation target such as a cell is placed is installed, driving means for driving the driving base in the two-dimensional direction, and an observation target of the culture vessel formed on the driving base. A translucent part having a size corresponding to the portion to be accommodated, a stage heater provided in the fixed base, which can heat the entire culture vessel even when the drive base is driven in a two-dimensional direction, and the stage heater are formed. A microscope stage comprising: a translucent portion facing the objective lens.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the microscope stage described in claim 1, wherein the translucent portion provided in the stage heater is provided in a portion facing the condenser of the microscope. This is a microscope stage.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the microscope stage described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the light transmitting portion formed in the drive base is an opening. This is a microscope stage.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the microscope stage described in claim 3, wherein the opening formed in the drive base is in a two-dimensional direction of the culture vessel to be used. It is a microscope stage characterized in that it is set to a size that can accommodate the largest size.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the microscope stage described in claim 4, wherein the microscope stage is attached to an opening formed in the drive base and used for a culture container other than the maximum size culture vessel. A microscope stage comprising an adapter in which an opening corresponding to the two-dimensional size of another culture vessel is formed.

[0014] The invention described in claim 6 is the microscope stage described in claim 5, wherein the drive base is provided with a maximum size culture vessel or adapter. A microscope stage comprising a fixing means for fixing in a state of being attached to an opening. The invention described in claim 7 is the microscope stage described in any one of claims 1, 6, and 6, wherein the light transmitting portion provided in the stage heater is a through hole. This is a featured microscope stage.

[0016] The invention described in claim 8 is the microscope stage described in any one of claims 1, 6 and 6, wherein the heating portion of the stage heater is a transparent base plate, A microscope stage comprising a transparent conductive film formed on the transparent base plate.

[0017] The invention described in claim 9 is the microscope stage described in any one of claims 1, 8 and 8, wherein the drive base has a lower base and an upper base. The lower base is linearly movable in a first direction with respect to the fixed base, and the upper base is linearly movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the lower base. This is a featured microscope stage.

[0018] The invention described in claim 10 is the microscope stage described in claim 9, wherein an upper surface side recess is formed on the upper surface of the lower base, and an upper surface is formed on the upper surface side recess. A microscope stage characterized in that a base is accommodated, a lower surface side recess is formed on the lower surface of the lower base, and a fixed base is accommodated in the lower surface side recess.

[0019] The invention described in claim 11 is directed to the microscope stage described in any one of claims 10 and 10 in the claim 1, and is installed on the drive base and closed in cooperation with the drive base. In a microscope observation unit comprising a culture device that forms a space, the culture device is provided with environmental control means for controlling the environment such as temperature and humidity of the closed space. Is a unit.

[0020] The invention described in claim 12 is the microscope observation unit described in claim 11, wherein the culture device is mounted on a housing mounted on a drive base and on the housing. The top heater has a heat generating part that covers the opening on the upper surface of the housing, and the heat generating part is constituted by a transparent base plate and a transparent conductive film formed on the transparent base plate. This is a microscope observation unit. [0021] The invention described in claim 13 is the microscope observation unit described in claim 12, wherein the space between the top heater and the housing depends on the height dimension of the culture vessel used. This is a microscope observation unit characterized in that it has a spacer frame interposed therebetween.

The invention's effect

[0022] According to the microscope stage of the present invention, it is possible to cope with culture containers of various shapes and sizes including a well plate, and the entire culture container can be always heated.

In addition, the culture vessel is further moved in a two-dimensional direction, and the objective lens and the condenser can approach the cell or the like until the objective lens and the condenser are in focus even with a high-power microscope.

Furthermore, according to the microscope observation unit, a closed space can be formed in cooperation with the microscope stage and the drive base of the microscope stage, and the environment such as temperature and humidity in the closed space can be controlled.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a microscope to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing various containers (a) to (d) for accommodating an observation object.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a microscope stage according to an embodiment of the present invention and a microscope observation unit in which a culture apparatus is installed on the microscope stage.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a microscope stage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the microscope stage of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the microscope stage of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the microscope stage of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a microscope observation unit in a state where a culture apparatus is installed on the microscope stage of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a frame-shaped body fixing means provided on the container holding frame.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a well plate fixing means provided on the container holding frame. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where the driving base is driven in the X direction based on the state force shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the state force drive base shown in FIG. 10 is driven in the Y direction.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a container holding frame and an adapter.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a microscope observation unit in a state where a culture apparatus is installed by applying the dish adapter of FIG. 15 to the microscope stage of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a microscope observation unit in a state where a culture apparatus is installed by applying the adapter for the well plate of FIG. 2 (b) to the microscope stage of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a spacer.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9 when the height of the closed space is increased using the spacer of FIG. 18 and the well plate of FIG. 2 (d) is accommodated in the culture apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Microscope 3 Condenser 5 Objective lens 6 Lens barrel

7 Body 8 Rotating base 9 Lens barrel 1 1 Eyepiece

13 Camera port 15 Transmitted illumination column 25 Microscope stage

27 Camera 29 Incubator 31 Microscope observation unit

33 Dish 33a Dish body

33b Dish lid 35 Well plate

35a Slide glass 35b Partition member 35c Cell

37 Well plate 37a Well plate body

37b Well plate lid 39 Well plate

39a Wel plate body 39b Wel plate body

47 Fixed base 49 Drive base 53 Opening

55 Stage heater 57 Translucent part 58 Heating part 61 Window part

63 Support frame 66 Transparent heater 67 Transparent conductive film

69 Stage heater through hole 71 Lower base 73 Upper base

74 Container holding frame 76 Frame 78 Opening

80 Overhang 77 Upper side recess 79 Lower side recess

81 Linear guide 83 Linear guide 87 Rack

Corrected form (MM ^ l) 89 Pion mechanism 92, 94 Pion 95 Operation knob

97 Operation knob 99A adapter 99B adapter

140 Adapter body 142 Adapter opening

101 Adapter fixing means 102 Square block 103 Square block

104 Notch 106 Coil panel 109 Housing

109a Recess 111 Water tank 113 Top heater

112 Water supply pipe 114 Gas supply pipe 115 Closed space

119 Water supply hose 120 Adapter body

122 Adapter opening 121 Gas hose 128 Post

129 Presser piece 131 Spacer frame 131a Spacer frame body

131b Mating convex part 131c Mating concave part

133 Container fixing means 137 Protruding piece

A Observation object S Culture medium L Optical axis B Fixing bolt

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the microscope stage and the microscope observation unit of the present invention will be described below.

In the following description, an inverted microscope is taken as an example, and first, an outline of the microscope to which the present invention is applied and a container for accommodating the observation object used for observation by the microscope are briefly described, and then applied to the microscope. The microscope stage according to the present invention and the microscope observation unit according to the present invention including the microscope stage will be specifically described.

The microscope 1 includes a microscope stage 25 of the present invention, and further, an objective lens 5 held by a lens barrel 6 is provided below the microscope stage 25. Three lens barrels 6 holding objective lenses 5 having different magnifications are supported by a rotating base 8.

Further, the microscope 1 has a lens barrel 9 provided in an inclined posture on the main body 7, an eyepiece 11 attached to the lens barrel 9, and a camera port 13 provided on the lower front surface of the main body 7. A transmission illumination column 15 is provided on the upper rear surface of the main body 7, and a condenser 3 is supported on the transmission illumination column 15, and the capacitor 3 is located above the microscope stage 25. The microscope observation unit 31 of the present invention is configured by the microscope stage 25 and the culture apparatus 29 installed on the microscope stage 25.

[0027] The culture vessels are shown in Figs. 2 (a) to (d).

The dish 33 shown in FIG. 2 (a) is made of transparent plastic, and is composed of a shallow cylindrical main body 33a having an open upper surface and a lid 33b. The main body has a diameter of 35 mm and a depth of about 10 mm, and contains cells, etc. one by one.

A well plate 35 shown in FIG. 2 (b) is configured by providing a partition member 35b made of transparent plastic on a sued glass 35a. The slide glass 35a has a width of 75 mm, a depth of 25 mm, and a thickness of about 1 mm. The partition member 35 b has a width of about 10 mm, a depth of 8 mm, and a depth of about 11.5 mm, and is provided with eight cells 35c such as cells. ! /

[0029] The well plate 37 shown in FIG. 2 (c) is made of transparent plastic, and includes a main body 37a, a lid 37b, and a force. The main body 37a is a shallow container, and a total of 96 cylindrical cells 37c with a diameter of 6.5 mm and a depth of about 10.5 mm are arranged, 12 in the width direction and 8 in the depth direction. A lid 37b is placed on the open upper surface of the main body 37a. The outer dimensions of the full plate 37 are set to 127mm in width, 85mm in depth, and 16mm in height.

[0030] The well plate 39 shown in FIG. 2 (d) is made of transparent plastic, and includes a main body 39a and a lid 39b. The main body 39a has a total of 24 cylindrical cells 39c with a diameter of 16mm and a depth of about 17mm, six in the width direction and four in the depth direction. A lid 39b is placed on the opened upper surface of the main body 39a. The outer dimensions of the tool plate 39 are set to 127mm in width, 85mm in depth and 22.5mm in height.

Fig. 2 (c) and (d) show that the well plates 37 and 39 are the maximum size in the width and depth directions, that is, in the two-dimensional direction, and the dishes 33 and 35 use adapters 99A and 99B described later. It becomes the culture container of. In addition, the well plate 39 is the maximum size in the height direction.

[0031] The microscope stage 25 of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the microscope stage 25 includes a fixed base 47, a drive base 49 provided to be movable in a two-dimensional direction within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis L of the objective lens 5 with respect to the fixed base 47, and Drive means for driving the drive base 49 in a two-dimensional direction; And a stage heater 55 attached to the lower surface of the fixed base 47.

The configurations of the fixed base 47 and the stage heater 55 will be described.

The fixed base 47 is a rectangular flat plate member and is provided with a window portion 61 that is greatly opened in a rectangular shape. The stage heater 55 is provided with a rectangular heat generating portion 58 that slightly protrudes upward. The heat generating portion 58 includes a heating wire (not shown) that generates heat when energized. The heat generating part 58 is formed with a through hole 69 as a circular light transmitting part. The through hole 69 is provided in a portion facing the objective lens 5 and the condenser 3 as will be described later.

A concave portion (not shown) that receives the heat generating portion 58 is formed on the lower surface of the fixed base 47, and the heat generating portion 58 is received in the concave portion, and the stage heater 55 is attached to the lower surface of the fixed base 47. The central portion of the heat generating portion 58 is exposed from the window portion 61. As will be described later, the heating section 58 has a size and a shape in which the weld plates 37 and 39 on the drive base 49 are opposed to each other regardless of the position where the drive base 49 of the microscope stage 25 is driven. The entire plate 37, 39 is always warmed.

The configuration of the drive base 49 will be described.

The drive base 49 includes a lower base 71 and an upper base 73, and an upper surface side recess 77 is formed on the upper surface of the lower base 71, and the upper base 73 is accommodated in the upper surface side recess 77. A lower surface side recess 79 is formed on the lower surface of the lower base 71, and the fixed base 47 is accommodated in the lower surface side recess 79. Therefore, the thickness of the microscope stage 25 is considerably smaller than that of a conventional drive type microscope stage.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower base 71 is attached to the fixed base 47 via a linear guide 81 and can move linearly in the left-right direction (hereinafter referred to as the X direction) as the first direction. it can. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper base 73 is attached to the lower base 71 via a linear guide 83, and linearly moves in the front-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as the Y direction) as a second direction orthogonal to the X direction. can do.

[0034] The lower base 71 and the upper base 73 are formed with an opening 53 as a translucent part.

A rack 85 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower base 71, and a rack 87 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper base 73. A pion mechanism 89 is attached to the upper base 73, and the pion mechanism includes pions 92 and 94. The pion 92 fits into the rack 85 of the lower base 71, and the pion 94 fits into the rack 87. Turning the control knob 95 rotates the pion 92, and turning the control knob 97 rotates the pion 94. The pion mechanism 89 and the racks 85 and 87 constitute a driving means for driving the driving base 49 in the two-dimensional direction.

The drive base 49 has a container holding frame 74, and the container holding frame 74 is attached to the opening 53. The configuration of the container holding frame 74 will be described.

Reference numeral 76 denotes a frame-like body, and the frame-like body 76 is formed with a rectangular opening 78 as a translucent portion. As will be described later, the opening 78 is sized so that all of the 96 cells 37c face each other when the well plate 37 is fitted. The opening 78 is sized so that all 24 cells 39c are opposed to each other even when the weld plate 39 is fitted. An overhang 80 is formed at the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the opening 78 of the frame 76.

[0036] Frame-shaped body fixing means 135 is provided at one corner. The frame-shaped body fixing means 135 includes a rectangular block 103, a coil panel 141 accommodated in the rectangular block 103, a protruding piece 137 that is housed in the rectangular block 103 and a part of which protrudes outward, and a retaining means (not shown) for the protruding piece 137. It is constituted by. The coil panel 141 urges the projecting piece 137 in the projecting direction, and the projecting piece 137 is retained by the retaining means.

A cutout 104 is formed inside the corner block 103.

[0037] Fixing means 101 for fixing the well plates 37 and 39 is provided at corners opposite to the frame-like body fixing means 135 of the frame-like body 76. The well plate fixing means 101 includes a rectangular block 102, a coil panel 106 accommodated in the rectangular block 102, a protruding piece 105 which is accommodated in the rectangular block 102 and protrudes inwardly and a protruding piece 105 (not shown). It consists of retaining means. The coil panel 106 urges the projecting piece 105 in the projecting direction, and the projecting piece 105 is retained by the retaining means. A recess 105 a is formed at the tip end of the protruding piece 105. A cutout 106 is formed inside the corner block 102, and the tip of the protruding piece 105 protrudes into the cutout 106.

The well plate fixing means 101 also serves as a fixing means for the adapters 99A and 99B described later. A culture apparatus 29 is installed on the microscope stage 25, and the microscope stage 25 and the culture apparatus 29 constitute the microscope observation unit 31 of the present invention.

The configuration of the culture apparatus 29 will be described.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a frame-shaped housing 109, and a concave portion 109 a is formed on the upper surface of the housing 109. A water tank 111 is provided inside the housing 109. As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 109 is provided with a water supply pipe 112 and a gas supply pipe 114. One end of the water supply pipe 112 and the water supply pipe 112 protrudes into the water tank 111, and the other end is The outer surface force of the housing 109 also protrudes. A water supply hose 119 is connected to the other end of the water supply pipe 112, and a gas hose 121 is connected to the other end of the gas supply pipe 114.

Reference numeral 113 denotes a top heater, and the top heater 113 is placed on the housing 109. The top heater 113 is constituted by a holding frame 63 and a transparent heater 64 held by the holding frame 63. It has been. The transparent heater 64 is composed of two glass plates bonded together by silicone and a transparent conductive film formed on one glass plate. Heat is generated by energizing the transparent conductive film.

[0040] Environmental control means for controlling the environment such as the temperature and humidity of the enclosed space 115 by the stage heater 55, the top heater 113, the gas supply pipe 114, the gas hose 121, the water supply pipe 112, the water supply hose 119 and a temperature sensor (not shown) Is configured.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show the adapter 99A for the dish 33.

The main body 120 of the adapter 99A is a rectangular flat plate member having approximately the same width and depth dimensions as the well plates 37 and 39 and a thickness of about 3 mm. An opening 122 is formed at the center of the main body 120. The opening 122 is a rectangular part formed continuously on both sides in the X direction of the circular part having a size that the main body 33a of the dish 33 can be fitted. It consists of parts. Further, the main body 120 is provided with a pair of support columns 128 protruding upward, and the pair of support columns 128 respectively support pressing pieces 129 having plate panel force so as to be rotatable.

FIG. 17 shows an adapter 99B for the well plate 35.

The main body 140 of the adapter 99B is a rectangular flat plate member having approximately the same width and depth dimensions as the tool plates 37 and 39 and a thickness of about 3 mm. An opening 142 is formed in the center of the main body 140, and the slide glass 35a of the well plate 35 is just fitted into the opening 142. A rectangular part of the size to be inserted, a semi-circular part formed continuously on both sides of the rectangular part in the Y direction, and force are also formed. Further, the main body 140 is provided with a support column 128 protruding upward, and a pressing piece 129 is rotatably supported by the support column 128.

FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show the spacer frame 131.

The spacer frame 131 has a height dimension like the well plate 39 and is used when a culture vessel is used.

A fitting projection 131b is formed on the lower surface of the main body 131a of the spacer frame 131, and a fitting recess 131c is formed on the upper surface.

Next, a method of using the microscope stage 25 and the microscope observation unit 31 will be described. As described above, the fixing base 47 is attached to the main body 7 of the microscope 1 with the bolt B, and the microscope stage 25 is attached to the microscope 1. Then, the container holding frame 74 is attached to the opening 53 of the drive base 49. At this time, the projecting piece 137 of the container holding frame 74 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the opening 53 and is pushed into the corner block 103 against the urging force of the coil panel 141, and the frame 76 is opened in this state. Fit into. The protruding piece 137 is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the opening 53, and the container holding frame 74 is fixed in a state where there is no backlash.

Next, the well plate 37 in which the culture solution S and the cell A to be observed are accommodated in the cell 45 is fitted into the opening 78 of the container holding frame 74, and the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the well plate 37 is stretched. Install at outlet 80. At this time, one corner of the body 37a of the well plate 37 is fitted into the recess 105a of the projecting piece 105 of the well plate fixing means 101, and the projecting piece 105 is pushed into the square block 102 and remains in that state. The body 37 a of the plate 37 is fitted into the opening 78. One corner of the main body 37a fits into the notch 106 of the corner block 102, and the corner opposite to the corner fits into the notch 104 of the corner block 103. The protruding piece 105 is in contact with the main body 37 a of the well plate 37, and presses the main body 37 a against the side surface of the notch 104. As a result, the well plate 37 is fixed to the container holding frame 74 without any play.

Next, the housing 109 of the culture vessel 29 is installed on the upper base 73. A housing 109 is provided in a position surrounding the well plate 37. Then, the top heater 113 is placed on the housing 109, and the closed space 115 is formed by the upper base 73, the housing 109, and the top heater 113. Form.

The switch of the stage heater 55 is turned on to generate heat from the heat generating portion 58, and the switch of the top heater 113 is turned on to generate heat from the transparent heater 64. As a result, the closed space 115 is heated. Based on detection information of a temperature sensor (not shown), heat generation of the heat generating portion 55 and the transparent heater 64 is controlled, and the temperature of the closed space 115 is adjusted to a predetermined value.

[0047] Although not shown, water is supplied to the water tank 111 through the water supply hose 119 and the water supply pipe 112, and the water is stored in the water tank 111. The water in the water tank 111 is heated and evaporated by the stage heater 55 and the top heater 113, and the closed space 115 becomes a predetermined humidity.

In addition, the CO cylinder force (not shown) is also generated by the CO through the gas hose 121 and the gas supply pipe 114.

2 2 The closed space 115 is supplied to fill the closed space 115 with CO.

2

As described above, the temperature, humidity, and CO concentration environment of the enclosed space 115 become predetermined values.

2

Controlled.

[0048] When observing the cell A in the wel plate 37, the operation knobs 95 and 97 are turned to move the drive base 49 in the X and Y directions, and the cell A to be observed in the wel plate 37 is observed. Is placed on the optical axis L of the objective lens 5 and observed with a microscope.

That is, for example, the state force shown in FIG. 9 also turns the operation knob 95 to rotate the pione 92 to move the rack 85, thereby driving the lower base 71 together with the upper base 73 in the X direction, as shown in FIG. Move the well plate 37 on the upper base 73 in the X direction to the state shown. Further, the state force shown in FIG. 10 is also turned by rotating the operation knob 97 to rotate the pinion 94 to move the rack 87, thereby driving the upper base 73 in the Y direction and moving the upper base 73 to the state shown in FIG. Move the well plate 37 on the base 73 in the Y direction.

[0049] Regardless of the state shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 13, FIG. 10, and FIG. 14, no matter where the drive base 49 is driven in the two-dimensional direction, the heat generating portion 58 is placed on the tool plate 37 on the drive base 49. Due to the opposing size and shape, all of the cells A contained in the cells 45 of the well plate 37 are always heated.

In addition, the microscope stage 25 is considerably smaller in thickness than the conventional drive type microscope stage, so the objective lens 5 is closer to the cell A than when the conventional drive type microscope stage is also used. Can approach. Therefore, with a high magnification objective lens It is also possible to focus on cell A. Similarly, the capacitor 3 can also approach the vicinity of the cell A. Therefore, it is possible to focus on the cell A, and the light can be appropriately collected on the cell A.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, when using the dish 33, the adapter 99 A is attached to the container holding frame 74 instead of the tool plate 37. That is, the adapter 99A is fitted into the opening 78 and installed in the overhang 80, and the protruding piece 106 is brought into contact with the corner of the adapter 99A. Then, after fitting the dish 33 containing the cell A together with the culture medium S in the main body 33a into the opening 122 of the adapter 99A, the pair of holding pieces 129 are rotated and brought into contact with the lid 33b of the dish 33. Fix dish 33.

The driving stage 49 and the cell A observation method are the same as in the case of using the well plate 37 described above.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 17, when the well plate 35 is used, the adapter 99B is attached to the container holding frame 74 in the same manner as the adapter 99A. Then, the weld plate 35 is fitted into the opening 142 and the pressing piece 129 is brought into contact with the slide glass 35b to fix the weld plate 35.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the tool plate 39 is used, a spacer frame 131 is interposed between the nosing 109 and the top heater 113. At this time, the convex portion 131 b of the spacer frame 131 is fitted into the nosing concave portion 109 a to prevent the spacer frame 131 from falling off the housing 109. By placing the spacer frame 131 on the housing 109, the height of the closed space 115 is increased, and the well plate 39 can be accommodated in the closed space 115.

[0053] When using a culture vessel having a height dimension larger than that of the weld plate 39, the spacer frames 131 are stacked in two or more stages. In this case, the fitting protrusion 131b of the upper spacer frame 131 is fitted into the fitting recess 131c of the lower spacer frame 131. As a result, even if the spacer frames 131 are stacked in multiple stages, the spacer frames 131 can be prevented from being displaced or dropped.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but the specific configuration of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and the design is within the scope of the present invention. Any changes and the like are included in the present invention. For example, the microscope 1 to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the inverted microscope described above, and may be a stereo microscope or an upright microscope in which the objective lens 5 is disposed above the observation object A and the condenser 3 is disposed below.

[0055] Further, the opening 53 formed in the drive base 49 and the light transmitting portion formed in the stage heater 55 are not limited to the through hole 69, and may be configured by transparent glass having a property of transmitting light. is there. In this case, the transparent glass may be constituted by a transparent heater similar to the top heater 29. In other words, the heat generating part of the stage heater should be composed of a transparent heater.

The shape and size of the opening 53 formed in the drive base 49, the opening 78 of the container holding frame 74, and the heat generating portion 58 of the stage heater 55 are based on the shapes and sizes of the above-described well plates 37 and 39. However, when using a culture vessel larger than this, it is set based on the shape and size of the culture vessel.

Similarly, the shape of the adapter can be appropriately modified according to the shape and size of the culture vessel.

[0056] As the drive source of the drive means for driving the drive base 49, an electric type using a servo motor, a stepping motor or the like is employed in addition to the manual configuration in which the operation knobs 95 and 97 are manually rotated. It is also possible to do. Further, a ball screw mechanism or the like can be employed in place of the rack and pinion mechanism employed as the drive transmission means.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A drive base on which a fixed base and a culture vessel in which an object to be observed such as cells is placed are provided so as to be movable in a two-dimensional direction within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens with respect to the fixed base Driving means for driving the driving base in the two-dimensional direction, a light transmitting portion formed on the driving base and having a size corresponding to a portion of the culture vessel that accommodates an observation target, and driving provided on the fixed base A microscope stage comprising: a stage heater capable of heating the entire culture vessel even when the base is driven in a two-dimensional direction; and a translucent portion formed on the stage heater and facing the objective lens.

[2] The microscope stage according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting portion provided in the stage heater is provided in a portion facing the condenser of the microscope.

[3] The microscope stage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light-transmitting portion formed in the drive base is an opening.

[4] In the microscope stage described in claim 3, the opening formed in the drive base is set to a size that can accommodate the two-dimensional maximum size of the culture vessel to be used. A microscope stage characterized by fluttering.

[5] In the microscope stage described in claim 4, it is attached to the opening formed in the drive base, and corresponds to the two-dimensional size of other culture vessels used in addition to the maximum size culture vessel. A microscope stage comprising an adapter having an opening formed therein.

[6] The microscope stage according to claim 5, wherein the drive base is provided with a fixing means for fixing the culture vessel or adapter having the maximum size in a state of being attached to the opening of the drive base. Microscope stage.

7. The microscope stage according to claim 6, wherein the translucent part provided in the stage heater is a through hole.

[8] In the microscope stage according to any one of claims 6 and 6, the heating portion of the stage heater includes a transparent base plate and a transparent conductive film formed on the transparent base plate. A microscope stage characterized by being made.

[9] In the microscope stage according to any one of paragraphs 8 and 8, wherein the first base force has a lower base and an upper base, the lower base has a first base relative to the fixed base. A microscope stage characterized by being linearly movable in a direction, and wherein the upper base is linearly movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the lower base.

[10] In the microscope stage according to claim 9, an upper surface recess is formed on the upper surface of the lower base, and the upper base is accommodated in the upper surface recess, and the lower surface of the lower base The microscope stage is characterized in that a lower surface side concave portion is formed and a fixed base is accommodated in the lower surface side concave portion.

[11] A microscope comprising the microscope stage according to any one of claims 10 and a culture apparatus installed on a drive base and forming a closed space in cooperation with the drive base. In the mirror observation unit, the culture observation apparatus is provided with environment control means for controlling an environment such as temperature and humidity of the closed space.

12. The microscope observation unit according to claim 11, wherein the culture apparatus includes a housing placed on a drive base and a top heater placed on the housing, wherein the top heater includes a housing. A microscopic observation unit, comprising: a heat generating part that covers an upper surface opening of the transparent base plate, wherein the heat generating part includes a transparent base plate and a transparent conductive film formed on the transparent base plate.

[13] The microscope observation unit according to claim 12, further comprising a spacer frame interposed between the top heater and the housing according to the height of the culture vessel used. A microscope observation unit characterized by that.